Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Turbulence in Life

You would have to be Rip Van Winkle to not know that the world is facing some really trying times right now. Every time one turns on the tv or opens a newspaper all they hear is gloom and doom. The economy is at the lowest its been in years, unemployment is skyrocketing, the stock market is losing money by the minute, people's 401K and 529 accounts have tanked. This isn't just a United States issue, it's a world-wide issue.

Millions of people and families are being affected. As you know I was laid off my part time contracting job in December. My brother was also laid off in December. We know many people at DHs place of employment that have been let go, from engineers to marketing to HR to
programming jobs. Some ISEs are returning stateside. Employers are implementing hiring freezes and wage freezes. People are worrying "Will I be next?" Everyone is being affected in some way by the current state, whether they know it or not. It's a trickle down effect.

People are looking for answers. People are expecting the politicians in Washington and our new President to fix things. But what will help us turn the economy around? What will help us get through these tough times? You hear words thrown around like bailout, stimulus, TARP. But will any of these be a fix? Will they be able to heal the worldwide issues or will they just be a band aid covering an infected wound? No one knows.

What can we do when we start to feel the anxiety setting in? When we go to bed worrying and wake up worrying? I read a blog that spoke huge words to me. We simply look to God.

I am a worrier by nature. I am not exactly sure where I got it from as no one in my family is a worrier. Add in some of the things I have experienced in my 33 years of life and not worrying or being anxious is something I struggle with. My Type A, control freak personality makes it hard to give up all my fears and worries to someone else. But in times like these I think we have to.

So I am challenging myself and you. Whatever you may be fearing or feeling anxious about, give them up to God. Be relentless in prayer. Look towards Him, rather than yourself for answers.

Here are a few verses to give you a head start.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Proverbs 12:25
An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

Matthew 6:27
Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

Matthew 6:34
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

5 comments:

mama2dibs said...

I kind of stay in the dark about the news...on purpose. It always seems bad, so I just don't watch the news or read newspapers. My little world consist of what is on the cover of Yahoo's main page.

That being said, I guess I didn't realize until about a month or two ago that this was a world wide crisis, not just an American thing.

I really appreciate your post. I'm the farthest thing from a worrier, but I can always use the reminder of going to God. I tend to pendulum back and forth between spending the time I need with Him and not spending any time at all with Him. Right now I'm on the wrong side of the pendulum so I will take your advice and go to Him. Even in the ok times of life it's wise to "stock up" on God's promises so you can pull them off the shelf of your mind when the bad times come. :) Thank you for the reminder...now I think I'll go do my devotions before the kids wake up. :)

mama2dibs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jennifer said...

God tells us in the BIBLE 333 time not to fear! Just a little fact.

Even know I don't fear times like this I see it everywhere! Media and Newspapers love to report all the gloom and dome.

In a lot of way we should be rejoicing in time like this...the Bible is being fulfilled.. Remember times will get much worse than this, is says it in the BIBLE. I believe we will be raptured by then, thank, GOD, cause I don't want me nor my children to go through 7 years of that.

God also says HE will never leave you or FORSAKE you!

and another things all your bone heads that think the GOVERNMENT should take care of all your problems...nope that is the job of the CHURCH! That is not what the gov is for...if we would just get back to the basics...delete welfare..and all these gov. programs...people would flock to church and this would would be so much better place!

I could go on and on...what sums it all up if the US would just put God back in this WORLD we would be fine. HE tell us to turn from EVIL...put HIM back in this World and HE will heal out LANDS!

o.k I'll shut up

Deborah said...

I think you know I am not religious, but how can I argue with such wise phrases!? The Matthew phrases, in particular, really speak to me (I plan to use them on my worrywart husband!).

Terri said...

great post Alexis and no truer words have been spoken.